John 3 16

John 3:16 kjv

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 nkjv

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 niv

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 esv

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 nlt

"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3 verses

John 3 16 Meaning

John 3:16 presents the very core of the Gospel message in a singular, potent statement. It declares God's unparalleled, immense love for all humanity (referred to as "the world"), demonstrating this love by sacrificing His unique and only Son. The purpose of this ultimate gift is to offer salvation—eternal life—to anyone who places their trust and belief in this Son, thereby rescuing them from spiritual destruction or perishing. This verse underscores divine initiative, the costly sacrifice of Jesus, and the simple yet profound condition of faith for all people.

John 3 16 Context

John 3:16 serves as the climactic summary following Jesus’ pivotal night-time dialogue with Nicodemus, a respected Jewish Pharisee and leader. Nicodemus initially approached Jesus out of curiosity, recognizing Him as a teacher "from God" (Jn 3:2). Jesus immediately challenges Nicodemus’s conventional understanding of salvation by declaring the necessity of being "born again" or "born from above" (Jn 3:3-8) to see or enter the kingdom of God, a concept Nicodemus struggled to grasp.

Jesus then uses the Old Testament analogy of Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness (Num 21:8-9), which brought physical healing to the bitten Israelites when they looked upon it (Jn 3:14-15). This prefigures Jesus, the "Son of Man," being "lifted up" on the cross, providing spiritual and eternal salvation to all who look to Him in faith. John 3:16 elaborates on the divine motivation (God’s love) and universal scope of this saving act, explaining why Jesus must be lifted up and how anyone can receive eternal life. The verse confronts the exclusivism prevalent in some Jewish thought that restricted God's favor solely to Israel or those who rigorously followed the Mosaic Law, emphasizing God's global reach and a salvation based on grace through faith, rather than heritage or works.

John 3 16 Word analysis

• For (γαρ, gar): This connective particle links the verse directly to the preceding discussion, particularly John 3:14-15. It signals that John 3:16 is providing the foundational reason or explanation for Jesus' statements about being lifted up and the offer of eternal life. It justifies why faith in the Son leads to avoiding destruction.
• God (ο θεος, ho theos): Refers to the singular, transcendent God of Israel, the Creator and Sovereign Lord. The focus here is on God as the ultimate initiator of salvation.
• so (ουτως, houtos): This adverb highlights the degree or manner of God's love—it was extraordinarily profound, surpassing human comprehension. It's not merely that God loved the world, but He loved it to such an extent that He acted in the most sacrificial way possible.
• loved (ηγαπησεν, ēgapēsen): An aorist tense of the verb agapaō, signifying a completed, definite act of love in the past—the historical act of sending and giving His Son. This is agape love: unconditional, selfless, benevolent love, valuing the object of love even when it is undeserving or hostile.
• the world (τον κοσμον, ton kosmon): In John's Gospel, "the world" often denotes fallen humanity in its rebellion and alienation from God (Jn 1:10; 15:18). It's not just the physical planet, but the system of humanity estranged from its Creator. This emphasizes the universal scope of God's love—not just for a select few or a single nation, but for all people. It directly challenges any notion of an ethnic or national exclusivity of God's redemptive plan.
• that he gave (ωσπερ εδωκεν, hōsper edōken or simply edōken): Denotes an act of costly self-giving. God did not just send, but "gave"—implying a willing sacrifice, surrendering His most precious possession. This "giving" culminates in the crucifixion of Jesus for the sins of humanity.
• his only Son (τον υιον τον μονογενη, ton huion ton monogenē):
  • μονογενη (monogenē): Often translated "only-begotten," but more accurately means "unique," "one of a kind," or "only-existent of its kind." It highlights the distinctiveness and singular nature of Jesus' Sonship in relation to God the Father (Jn 1:18). This underscores the immense value and cost of the gift—God gave not a son, but His uniquely singular Son, who shares His divine essence.
  • Son (υιον, huion): Designates Jesus' intimate and divine relationship with the Father, affirming His divine nature and shared essence, contrasting with merely human offspring.
• that whoever believes (ινα πας ο πιστευων, hina pas ho pisteuōn):
  • whoever (πας, pas): Emphasizes the inclusivity and universality of the offer of salvation. It is open to all people, without distinction of race, gender, social status, or religious background. This counters any human-imposed barriers to God's grace.
  • believes (πιστευων, pisteuōn): A present participle, indicating ongoing faith, a continuous posture of trust and reliance. It is more than mere intellectual assent to facts about Jesus; it implies a deep, personal commitment and trust in His person and saving work. It means surrendering to Him.
• in him (εις αυτον, eis auton): The preposition eis (into) denotes movement or direction, emphasizing a trusting embrace that directs oneself into or onto Jesus. It’s a total reliance, a transfer of trust from self or other means onto Him.
• should not perish (μη αποληται, mē apolētai):
  • perish (αποληται, apolētai): Signifies ruin, destruction, utter loss, or eternal separation from God. It refers to ultimate spiritual death, not annihilation, but everlasting conscious condemnation and judgment, a state of separation from the life and presence of God.
• but have eternal life (αλλ' εχη ζωην αιωνιον, all' echē zōēn aiōnion):
  • eternal life (ζωην αιωνιον, zōēn aiōnian): This is more than simply unending existence; it refers to a specific quality of life. It is the life of God Himself, a participation in His divine nature, a full and abundant life (Jn 10:10). This life begins at the moment of belief and continues into eternity, characterized by knowing God and Jesus Christ (Jn 17:3).

Words-group analysis

• "For God so loved the world": This phrase establishes the divine motive and incredible scope of salvation. It begins with God, not human initiative or merit. His love is immense, active, and embraces the entire human race in its fallen state.
• "that he gave his only Son": This details the costly, definitive action of God’s love. It is the unparalleled sacrifice, demonstrating the depth of His commitment and the immeasurable value of His unique Son. This "giving" encapsulates the incarnation, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.
• "that whoever believes in him": This presents the universal condition for receiving the benefit of God’s gift. It democratizes salvation, making it accessible to anyone who chooses to trust in Jesus, irrespective of background, works, or social standing. It highlights personal response and commitment as the path to life.
• "should not perish but have eternal life": This provides the glorious, dual outcome of God’s act and human faith. It sharply contrasts spiritual destruction and separation from God with the acquisition of true, unending life, which is intimately connected with God's very nature and presence.

John 3 16 Bonus section

• The Divine Initiative: The verse profoundly emphasizes that salvation originates with God. It is His love that initiates the rescue plan, not human striving or merit. Humanity is the recipient of grace, not the instigator of redemption.
• A Light in Darkness: This passage directly follows Jesus' words about those who love darkness rather than light (Jn 3:19-21). John 3:16 thus shines as the glorious light and opportunity for those in darkness to turn towards life through faith in the Son.
• Unique Language of "Monogenēs": The term for "only Son" (monogenēs) is a critical Johannine and New Testament descriptor. It communicates Christ's exclusive position and unique origin as truly sharing the divine nature, making His sacrifice of infinite worth. It points to Him as the "one of a kind" relationship the Father has with Him, underpinning the unparalleled nature of His giving.
• Universal Offer, Individual Response: While God's love extends to "the world," the provision of "eternal life" is predicated on an individual's personal decision to "believe in him." This highlights the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation.

John 3 16 Commentary

John 3:16 serves as the quintessential summary of Christian doctrine, often called "the Gospel in miniature." It uniquely encapsulates God's redemptive purpose, showcasing His initiating, profound love for a world that has turned from Him. This love isn't merely emotional but profoundly active and sacrificial, culminating in the surrender of His most precious, uniquely divine Son. The verse reveals that salvation is fundamentally a gift of God’s grace, entirely unearned and offered universally. The single requirement for reception is belief—an active, continuous trust and commitment to Jesus Christ as the Son and the one who perfectly accomplished God's saving work. The outcome is not merely escaping condemnation but entering into a qualitatively richer, eternal life in communion with God. This divine transaction bypasses all human attempts at self-salvation, whether through works, lineage, or wisdom, by pointing directly to the person and sacrifice of Jesus as the exclusive path to reconciliation and abundant life. It emphasizes God's generous heart and the simplicity yet profound depth of the Gospel offer.